Monthly Archives: July 2009

Master P, arguably the best ballin’ rapper alive, and one of the worst rappers alive, produced this epic music video in 1998. “Make Em Say Uhh” features P, rap notables Silkk the Shocker, Mia X, and Mystikal rapping while sitting on the basket, dunking on eight-foot hoops, gorillas flying through the air, and of course, the sweet-ass gold tank. If this doesn’t make you wanna go hoop it with your friends, I don’t know what will.

Stay tuned for Lil Romeo’s high school highlight mixtape tomorrow on TTT. Next season can’t get here soon enough.

I don’t think I’m alone in being highly disappointed by the much-anticipated Jordan Crawford dunk over LeBron James. Crawford’s dunk certainly wasn’t worth all the hype. For some reason, Wizards G Nick Young didn’t get much love for dunking over LeBron two years ago – in an actual NBA game.

Portland has stockpiled young talent but was in desperate need of an upgrade at point guard. The signing of Andre Miller fills that need perfectly and could vault the Blazers into contention in the West.

The Blazers signed the 10-year veteran to a three-year, $21 million contract Friday. Miller had drawn little interest form NBA teams despite averaging 16.3 ppg and 6.5 apg last season. The 33 year-old has played in 530 straight games.

The Knicks and Sixers showed some interest in Miller, but neither made a serious offer. Philly offered a one-year deal with about $6 million, while New York was primarily focused on trying to land Ramon Sessions and didn’t offer Miller a contract.

Portland was close to acquiring Bulls G Kirk Hinrich earlier this month in a purposed three-team deal that would have sent promising youngster Jerryd Bayless to Chicago.

Friday’s signing allows the Blazers to continue to develop Bayless while Miller and Steve Blake get the majority of the minutes at the point.

Moon to Cleveland

The Miami Heat announced Friday it won’t match the Cleveland Cavaliers offer to restricted free agent Jamario Moon. The 6’8″ forward will earn around $3.2 million next season while coming off the bench for the Cavs. Moon averaged 7.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg last season and gives Cleveland some much-needed versatility up front.

Cleveland is completely out of money after trading for Shaq and signing Anthony Parker and Moon. I’m not sure the Cavs did enough this offseason to get over the hump.

Bird has rid the Pacers of bad seeds, leaving the cupboard bare in the process.

Larry Bird’s rebuilding job aimed at reversing the Pacers’ public image is finally complete with the news that the team has finally waived disgruntled guard Jamaal Tinsley. Now, it appears Bird will soon have another rebuilding job on his hands.

Thanks primarily to Tinsley and Stephen Jackson, the Pacers’ public image took a hit in the years following the “basketbrawl” in 2004.

Tinsley was involved in three off-court incidents between 2006 & 2007, including a bar fight that resulted in a felony charge of intimidation, misdemeanor battery charges, and a disorderly conduct charge.

The Pacers told Tinsley not to report prior to last season and entertained a few trade offers before banishing him to the island of misfit point guards for the entire season.

Pacers fans should applaud Larry Bird’s efforts to clean up Donnie Walsh’s mess, but a glance at the team’s roster suggests there won’t be much to cheer for on the court next season.

Everything revolves around rising star Danny Granger. The All-Star averaged 25.8 ppg last season while playing in 67 games. After that, it’s pretty much a disaster.

The core features Troy Murphy, T.J. Ford, and Brandon Rush. Mike Dunleavy is expected to play, but nagging knee problems could end his career at any point.

The rest of the roster includes Tyler Hansbrough, Dahntay Jones, Earl Watson, Josh McRoberts, A.J. Price, Travis Diener, and Roy Hibbert. Jeff Foster is a free agent and could return to provide another big man.

The Pacers have assembled what is without doubt the least talented roster in the NBA. Jim O’Brien will have to work miracles to keep his team from finishing with the worst record in the league next season.

Richardson was traded for the third time this summer, this time to the Timberwolves.

Here are some recent news & notes you may have missed in what has been a very boring NBA offseason thus far:

Q-Rich to T-Wolves, Telfair to Clip Joint

Quentin Richardson has been traded – again. Shortly after acquiring Richardson from the Grizzlies in the Zach Randolph deal, the Clippers sent him to the Timberwolves in exchange for Craig Smith, Mark Madsen, and Sebastian Telfair.

This was another puzzling move between two of the dumbest franchises in the NBA. Telfair played well at times for the Wolves last seen and would have added depth. Ricky Rubio is still way out of the picture, leaving Minnesota with Jonny Flynn as the only point guard on the roster. The Clippers certainly didn’t need Richardson, but probably don’t need Telfair either. L.A. is in hot pursuit of Bucks guard Ramon Sessions and already has Baron Davis and his huge contract.

This trade would seem to signal the end of the Allen Iverson courtship, but you just never know with the Clippers.

Jarrett Jack heading to Canada

The Raptors offseason has been very impressive to say the least. The signing of Jarrett Jack to a four-year, $20 million deal is the latest solid move. Jack provides insurance behind the aging Jose Calderon, who battled injuries throughout last season. The former Georgia Tech point guard averaged a career-best 13.1 ppg for the Pacers last season.

Meanwhile, Larry Bird’s puzzling moves continued Monday. He signed Earl Watson as a replacement for Jack, adding to a dismal free agent class of Dahntay Jones and Josh McRoberts. Yuck.

Heat poised to add Boozer, Odom?

With Lamar Odom at odds with the Lakers, Miami appears ready to offer a five-year deal to the versatile forward. Financially, this move is a no-brainer, but it’s not that simple. Odom’s maturity (who would have thought) makes staying in L.A. to win another title his most desirable option. This could drag on for a few more weeks.

Carlos Boozer spoke highly of playing in Chicago last week, and now he is talking about how he would love to play in Miami. Boozer told the Miami Herald the Heat are his “Number one option.” He lives in Miami during the offseason and is close to Dwayne Wade. Boozer spent last week talking about how he would love to play in Chicago and seems ready to play just about anywhere – except Utah.

Misery in Memphis? Grizzlies appear to be A.I.’s only option

Allen Iverson might be seriously considering retirement. The Clippers aggressive pursuit of Ramon Sessions (sources say they are poised to offer a five-year, $34 million contract) suggests that talks with Iverson have stalled. Last week, ESPN reported the Clips wanted to speak with AI about coming off the bench before offering him a contract.

Miami would be a decent fit for AI, but is focused on signing Lamar Odom and working out a deal for Carlos Boozer. Iverson is merely an afterthought at this point.

That leaves Memphis as the one remaining team interesting in signing Iverson. The Grizz would likely offer Iverson the mid-level exception, meaning a one-year deal at around $5.6 million.

Shaq’s busy offseason continues this week in Pittsburgh when filming begins in his reality show, “Shaq Vs.”, which features the Big Aristotle competing against elite athletes in boxing, tennis, swimming, and who knows what else.

Shaq takes on Ben Roethlisberger Wednesday in a QB competition, and is also slated to compete against Oscar De La Hoya, Serena Williams, and Michael Phelps, and Albert Pujols.

The funniest challenge pits Shaq against beach volleyball stars Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh. I wonder if Shaq needs a partner? Damon Jones probably has time on his hands.

The first episode is scheduled to air Tuesday, August 18th on ABC. If you don’t want to tune in, don’t worry, complete highlights will be shown repeatedly on SportsCenter.